Mar 20, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) high-fives teammates after scoring a second period goal against the Los Angeles Kings at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

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Chicago Blackhawks Miss Playoffs for Fifth Straight Season

Chicago’s playoff drought continues, but young talent like Nazar and Levshunov offer a glimpse of a brighter future.

For the fifth straight season, the Chicago Blackhawks won’t be playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Their fate was sealed after a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at United Center on Thursday, continuing a frustrating stretch for a team once known for its dominance.

Chicago was a playoff fixture for nearly a decade, making nine straight appearances from 2008-09 to 2016-17 and capturing three Stanley Cup titles (2010, 2013, 2015). But since then, postseason berths have been rare. Aside from a shortened 2019-20 season where they made the playoffs in an expanded format, the Blackhawks have mostly been in rebuilding mode. This season was no exception.

Despite their efforts to regain relevance, Chicago found itself making moves for the future rather than pushing for the present. At the trade deadline, they parted ways with some key veterans. Taylor Hall was sent to the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 24, while Seth Jones was traded to the Florida Panthers for goalie Spencer Knight on March 1. A week later, Petr Mrazek and Craig Smith were moved to Detroit in exchange for forward Joe Veleno.

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Offensively, the Blackhawks showed some improvement, increasing their goals per game from 2.17 last season to 2.67 this year. However, their struggles on defense overshadowed that progress. Chicago allowed 3.54 goals per game—third worst in the league—and gave up an average of 31.5 shots per night. They also struggled immensely on the road, managing just seven wins in 35 away games and surrendering 126 goals while scoring only 85.

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But it wasn’t all bad news. Some young players provided reasons for optimism. Since his call-up from the AHL in December, Frank Nazar has made an impact with 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 39 games. Colton Dach has brought energy and grit, contributing seven points (two goals, five assists) in 24 games. And all eyes are now on defenseman Artyom Levshunov, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old has already been logging over 20 minutes per game since joining the lineup in March.

While the Blackhawks are still far from their former glory, these young players offer hope that the franchise is moving in the right direction. The playoffs may be out of reach for now, but the foundation for the future is slowly being built.

Image Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

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Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!